Exploring the Human Condition in a Post-Apocalyptic World: A Review of Tom Hanks' Finch
Tom Hanks, one of Hollywood's most beloved actors, stars in the science fiction drama "Finch" as the title character, a reclusive inventor who builds a robot to take care of his beloved dog as they travel across a post-apocalyptic America. Directed by Miguel Sapochnik and written by Craig Luck and Ivor Powell, "Finch" is a touching and introspective film that explores themes of love, loss, and the human condition.
 |
| Exploring the Human Condition in a Post-Apocalyptic World: A Review of Tom Hanks' Finch |
The film begins with a prologue that establishes the world in which Finch lives. A catastrophic solar event has left the Earth uninhabitable for most of its remaining human population. Finch, a former robotics engineer, has managed to survive by himself in an underground bunker, but his supplies are running low, and he knows that he doesn't have much time left. He decides to set out on a journey to find a place where his dog, Goodyear, can live out the rest of his days in peace.
To aid him on his journey, Finch builds a robot named Jeff (voiced by Caleb Landry Jones). Jeff is a marvel of engineering, with a complex AI that allows him to learn and adapt to his surroundings. Finch teaches Jeff how to care for Goodyear, and the three of them set out on a perilous cross-country journey.
As they travel, Finch and Jeff begin to form a bond, with Jeff learning more about the world and human emotions with each passing day. Meanwhile, Finch's own health begins to deteriorate, and he realizes that he may not live long enough to reach their destination.
What makes "Finch" such a poignant film is the way it explores the complex relationships between its three main characters. Tom Hanks delivers a masterful performance as Finch, imbuing the character with a quiet strength and a deep sense of loss. Caleb Landry Jones also does a fantastic job as Jeff, bringing a childlike innocence and wonder to the role that is both charming and heartbreaking.
But it is the relationship between Finch and Goodyear that really anchors the film. Finch's love for his dog is palpable, and the scenes where he teaches Jeff how to care for him are some of the film's most touching moments. As the journey wears on and Finch's health deteriorates, the viewer is left wondering what will happen to Goodyear once he is gone.
The film's post-apocalyptic setting is also beautifully realized, with stunning visuals that evoke a sense of awe and wonder. The desolate landscapes and abandoned cities are hauntingly beautiful, and the film's use of color and lighting adds an otherworldly quality to the proceedings.
One of the most interesting aspects of "Finch" is the way it explores the concept of humanity in a world where most humans are gone. As Finch and Jeff travel across the country, they encounter other robots and AI systems that have been left behind by their human creators. These robots are all programmed to perform specific tasks, but without humans to give them purpose, they are lost and aimless.
In contrast, Jeff's AI allows him to learn and adapt to his surroundings, making him more human-like than the other robots they encounter. The film asks the question: what does it mean to be human, and can a machine ever truly replicate the complexity of human emotions and thought?
